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Knights Take Care of Johnnies in Home Finale

April 27, 2013 at 9:21 pm

NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Carleton College men’s tennis team marked its first—and only—outdoor home match of the season with a 6-3 victory over visiting Saint John’s University. McCoy Becker (Jr./Ojai, Calif./Thacher School) and Erik Johnson (Fy./Grand Forks, N.D./Red River) both prevailed in both singles and doubles.

The Knights (13-5, 7-1 MIAC) won two of the three doubles matches. Becker and Alex Chin (Sr./Hingham, Mass./Hingham) teamed up for the first time and notched an 8-4 decision at second doubles. Johnson and Christian Nagy (Fy./Fairway, Kans./Pembroke Hill School) matched that score as the rookies improved to 4-1 since joining forces two weeks ago.

"Christian and Erik have a very philosophical approach to doubles,” explained Carleton head coach Stephan Zweifel. “Just because you can put butter on it, does not make it toast."

Upon shifting to singles, the Knights picked up straight set victories by Paul Cooper (Sr./Burr Ridge, Ill./Hinsdale Central), Andrew Hwang (So./Brookfield, Wis./University School), Becker, and Johnson at slots two through five.

"I am very pleased with our success today,” Zweifel said, “especially considering that earlier this week we were as focused as a Middle School cafeteria line."

Today’s triumph sets up big battle with University of St. Thomas in the regular-season finale on Sunday, April 28. The victor of that match will secure the No. 2 seed in the MIAC Playoffs and the coveted first-round bye in next weekend’s conference tournament.

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Stephan Zweifel has coached the Knights since 1991, earning conference coach of the year honors four times since 2002. He led the Knights to the 2004 NCAA Championships and has posted a 224-95 record (through the '10-'11 season) as the Knights' head coach.